Fifteen-year-old Chekole Getenet was once a cow herder but since competing in Australia has won several long distance running titles.
"I want to be the best in Australia. [The best in] cross country," he said.
Following in the footsteps of the world's great long distance runners is one of his two great passions.
The other is part of the secret of his success.
"I like to run with the cows, look after the cows," said Chekole.
"Australia is good because it changed my life here running. In Ethiopia I would look after cows."
Chekole has only been in training for 18 months and has not lost a long distance race in his age division for almost a year.
"He's state [Queensland] cross country champion, he's national 3000m champion, he's top two in 1500 metres," said Murray Watkins, Chekole’s trainer and president of Fast Track Athletics in Brisbane.
"He’s definitely got more potential than any boy I’ve had in the last 10 years," Mr Watkins said.
Chekole hopes he is on his way to emulating some of the great Ethiopian-born running champions.
Ethiopians refugee Chekole Gentenet (right) with trainer and president of Fast Track Athletics, Murray Watkins (left), in Brisbane ahead of the Australian Cross Country Championships at Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne on Saturday 29 August 2015. Source: Supplied
His idol is Olympic gold medalist and distant relative, Haile Gebrselassie.
"When I'm at home, when I watch him I think, ‘He looks like me, and he's short (like me)’," he said.
"I want to meet Haile when I win Olympics."
"Australia is good because it changed my life here running. In Ethiopia I would look after cows."
Chekole and his siblings came to Australia five years ago after their parents were killed.
"He doesn’t talk about it too much, there are some things that come up every now and then, his lifestyle wasn’t ideal," said Mr Watkins.
His aunt and uncle in Australia sponsored Chekole and his brother and sister to come to Australia.
Eighteen months ago he found his trainer Murray Watkins and would sometimes walk seven kilometres from home in Woodridge to the running track at John Paul College, even in the rain.
The school spotted his talent and offered him a scholarship.
"He’s got every opportunity every kid has and he knows that and he’s not taking it for granted, he’s going to make the most of it," said Mr Watkins.
Chekole already has plans for what he will do with success, if it comes.
When I win the Olympics maybe I’ll have my farm, that’s it, I'm going to have as many cows as I want," he said.
Chekole will compete in the U16 4000m at Australian Cross Country Championships at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne on Saturday.
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